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OPINION

Delaware should seize chance for bipartisanship on guns and mental health

A common refrain from Second Amendment defenders after a mass shooting is: "It's not about guns, it's about mental health."

While we disagree with the first part of that sentence — we think easy access to high-powered weapons contributes to our country's inordinate number of shootings — we agree with the second part. In the divisive debate over gun control, keeping firearms out of the hands of those suffering from mental illness could be an area of common ground.

That's why we're encouraged to see apparent bipartisan support for House Bill 302, which would allow police to temporarily seize firearms from someone identified as a threat by mental health professionals.

The bill also would extend a ban on owning firearms to those who are charged with violent crimes but found not guilty by reason of insanity, guilty but mentally ill or ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. David Bentz, D-Christiana, has worked hard with Republican legislators and the local NRA affiliate to satisfy concerns about due process. These bipartisan negotiations appear to be paying off — the bill passed the House on an overwhelming 39-0 vote.

That is no guarantee of passage, however. A similar bill cleared the house on a 40-1 vote in 2013, but foundered in the Senate.

We urge Senators to vote "yes."

Of all the gun control measures the General Assembly is considering, this bill may be the most likely to make a concrete difference in Delaware.

We support restrictions on bump stocks and assault rifles, but they are virtually never used in gun crime in Delaware. And a large portion of gun deaths are suicides. Giving the mental health community a stronger role could prevent the kinds of deaths happening now in Delaware.

In the same vein as HB 302, lawmakers should consider HB 222, which would create lethal violence protection orders that could allow family and law enforcement to request the removal of guns. This is likely to be more controversial, but we hope consensus can be found here too.

The gun debate is heating up in Delaware. Tension between the House and the Senate is building, and pending votes on an assault weapons ban are sure to be the most controversial yet.

We hope these looming battles don't interfere with the passage of HB 302. Opportunities for bipartisan action on guns are increasingly rare, and the General Assembly shouldn't fail to seize on this one.

The News Journal's editorial opinions are decided by its editorial board, which is separate from the news staff.

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